Iron pipe intead copper pipe

[GENERALCOOL]

Hi friends,

Are there any important reasons that mostly we use [expensive] copper pipe against [cheap] iron pipe ?

I saw this below at SPORLAN document :

"In addition to high discharge temperatures, there are certain catalytic metals that contribute to the lubricant-refrigerant mixture breakdown. The most noted of these in a refrigeration system is iron. It is used in one form or another in all systems and is an active catalyst. Copper is in the same category as iron, but its action is slower".

Just for reason above we use copper instead iron ? Or there are other important reasons ?

Thanks.

http://www.generalcooltrade.com

[RANGER1]

GENERALCOOL,

Steel pipe heavy, copper pipe lite.
steel pipe dirty, copper very clean.
steel pipe need specialist pressure welder to connect pipes, copper almost anyone can silver solder.
silver solder connections in minutes, steel maybe ten's of minutes.
copper pipe dry, steel pipe not dry.
Steel pipe valves & fittings more expensive than brass.
You have to paint steel as can rust.
how do you effectively join steel to copper components, slightly specialist.

[GENERALCOOL]

GENERALCOOL,

Steel pipe heavy, copper pipe lite.
steel pipe dirty, copper very clean.
steel pipe need specialist pressure welder to connect pipes, copper almost anyone can silver solder.
silver solder connections in minutes, steel maybe ten's of minutes.
copper pipe dry, steel pipe not dry.
Steel pipe valves & fittings more expensive than brass.
You have to paint steel as can rust.
how do you effectively join steel to copper components, slightly specialist.

Thanks Ranger

[Josip]

Hi, GENERALCOOL

Hi friends,

Are there any important reasons that mostly we use [expensive] copper pipe against [cheap] iron pipe ?

I saw this below at SPORLAN document :

"In addition to high discharge temperatures, there are certain catalytic metals that contribute to the lubricant-refrigerant mixture breakdown. The most noted of these in a refrigeration system is iron. It is used in one form or another in all systems and is an active catalyst. Copper is in the same category as iron, but its action is slower".

Just for reason above we use copper instead iron ? Or there are other important reasons ?

Thanks.

Sporlan document I cannot comment, but
cheap iron pipes are not that cheap and
copper pipes are not that expensive ...


iron pipes are thicker i.e. heavier
so you need stronger pipe supports and
installation is longer with welding specialists ...

available prefabricated insulation for copper pipes but not for iron ...
so insulation on iron pipes is more expensive and works are longer ...

and there are many other reasons as written by RANGER1 ..

so at the end of the day (for complete installation) prices are quite close,
but I believe lower for copper installation ...


Another example:
Today SS material is not so expensive like in 1996. when we installed one
belt freezing tunnel (food process) in Slovakia completely with SS pipes and R22.

For Italian manufacturer this way was cheaper due to light weight of SS pipes
(simple transportation on site on small truck) and without anti corrosion protection
(material was little bit expensive but all works were shorter).

This job was good, because at the end both,
owner and manufacturer were satisfied


To use copper, iron or SS material is related to many factors ...

Best regards, Josip

[niceman]

Years ago the industry tried using a steel tubing called bundy tubing, was used by kelvinator in jce cream cabinets but was prone to corrosion and leaks so did not survive. Oh what fun we had trying to replace it in situ! Before fan evaporators galvanised steel tubing about 1” bore was on ceilings and walls of freezer and chill coldrooms